Today's deadly diseases.

• Position: GRAPH

Ebola isn't the first outbreak to wreak havoc on the world (see articles, p. 16 and p. 19), nor is it the only infectious disease taking lives today. Caused by organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites, infectious diseases are responsible for one in four deaths and are especially prevalent in developing countries. Many are spread from person to person. Others are acquired by insect or animal bites or by ingesting contaminated food or water. Here's a look at some of the most common-and deadly-of these diseases.

ANALYZE THE GRAPH

1. Which disease on the graph kills about 630,000 people per year?

   a rotavirus

   b malaria

   c hepatitis B

   d hepatitis C

2. HIV/AIDS kills about -- more people annually than tuberculosis does.

   a 100,000

   b 200,000

   c 400,000

   d 1 million

3. The graph lists three types of hepatitis. About how many deaths per year do they cause in all?

   a about 800,000

   b about 950,000

   c almost 1.2 million

   d almost 1.9 million

4. In 1918, influenza caused as many as 100 million deaths worldwide. That's about--the number of deaths caused by the flu in a typical year today.

   a 80 times

   b 120 times

   c 200 times

   d 400 times

5. Fifteen years ago, the number of measles deaths in a typical year was about 562,000. The figure for a typical year today is about -- of that.

   a two thirds

   b one half

   c one third

   d one fifth

   DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Does any of the information on the graph surprise you? Explain.

2. Why do you think infectious diseases typically kill more people in developing countries than they do in highly developed countries like the United States? List as many factors as...